Camera White Balance Using a Fixed White Reference Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems struggle with accurately performing white balance on images captured by cameras due to varying light sources in the environment, leading to unnatural color tones.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a camera with a fixed white area and a processor that calculates a parameter for white balance based on a specified area within the image, adjusting pixel values to achieve natural color tones, and superimposes virtual images on the captured images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If white balance is performed on images captured in environments with varying light sources, then color accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the processing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a specific area in the image that is guaranteed to contain a white object. This predetermined area is used as the basis for white balance calculation, eliminating the need for complex real-time analysis of multiple potential white balance reference points throughout the image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary information for white balance by focusing on a specific predetermined area that contains a white object. This extraction approach isolates the white balance reference from other potentially distracting elements in the image, simplifying the processing while maintaining accuracy.
2Productivity
If a specific area is used for white balance calculation, then processing speed is improved, but the reliability of white balance may worsen if the area does not contain a white object
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by determining the presence of a white object in the predetermined area before proceeding with white balance calculation. This pre-check ensures that the area contains suitable reference information, maintaining reliability while enabling fast processing when the condition is met.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by checking whether the predetermined area contains a white object and using this information to guide the white balance processing. When a white object is detected, the system proceeds with white balance calculation using that area; otherwise, it can fall back to alternative methods, ensuring reliability while maintaining efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
An example of an information processing system includes a moving object including a camera and including a white area in an exterior of the moving object. An image capturing range of the camera includes the white area. It is determined whether or not each of pixels in a preset specified area that includes the white area in an image captured by the camera is white, and if the number of pixels that are white according to the white determination exceeds a predetermined number, white balance is performed to adjust the pixels that are white according to the white determination in the specified area closer to white.